Care Fee Countdown in Ludlow
JP Estate Planning Ltd give us the low down on care care fees and where a home is in an asset protection
fee costs... trust, it can miss out on inheritance tax reliefs.
What are the costs? Care fees in the Ludlow area Instead, We suggest having a private consultation
can be as much as £1,750 per week, which is with one of our fully trained consultants.
£91,000 a year per person. This means a couple Is there anything you can do to protect assets?
could easily end up paying £182,000 a year in care Thankfully, yes! Although you really do have to be
fees alone. You can see how easily your assets – careful on which strategy your chosen professional
including your family home – could be swallowed up. uses. We have often seen certain trusts being set up
Can you give away assets and family home to your and used in a way which is not efficient for
children? You can, but they will likely still be included inheritance tax and do not avoid the deliberate
for care fee assessment purposes. There are rules deprivation rules. Unfortunately most people only
about deliberate deprivation that mean you are not find this out after someone has died or entered care
allowed to give away assets to avoid paying for care and they end up losing money which could have
fees. If you were allowed to do this, then everyone been avoided if done correctly.
would do it and the government would have to pay Final thoughts? If you have had trouble with or are
for everyone’s care. concerned about this subject, JP Estate Planning are
What can you do to protect your assets? Some always happy to help. Give us a call or send an email
people use asset protection trusts, but these can be (see advert below) and we can help you to get the
a dangerous tool in estate planning. The very name correct solutions in place or review your existing
of the trust can imply it is there to avoid paying for plans for suitability.
2
CONTENTS
Whose language is it anyway? 5
Thy Kingdom Come 2022 7
After the prayerful abstinence of Lent, Introducing … Judy and Colin 9
the solemnity of Holy Week and the Hamer
joyful celebration of the Resurrection at From the registers 11
Easter we turn our minds this month to Happy hundredth, Barbara 11
the prospect of summer. This year May News from St John’s 13
will take us from the traditional Role reversal in the chancel 15
merriment of May Day (p19) to the eve
of a unique occasion, the Queen’s Arts@StLaurence in May 16
Platinum Jubilee (more details of In Unison with Ukraine 17
festivities next month but see p16, p31 Out and about 18
and p38). In between we can look Unbridled May Day Merriment 19
forward to the return of Ludlow’s very Sunday services in Ludlow 20
own harbingers of long, sunny evenings Ludlow local listing - small ads 21
(p33), recall with Uncle Eustace the
questionable delights of an old- What’s on at St Laurence’s in 25
fashioned church picnic (p41) and pick May
up some ideas for places to visit locally Ludlow Castle’s Mary Magdalene 27
(p18). Chapel,
Addressing topical issues of both global March PCC meeting summary 29
and local concern we invite our readers Lovely Jubbly - a Jubilee! 31
to support a special concert in aid of Hoping for a swift return 33
the Ukrainian people (p17) and Stephen House project 35
consider how the poet who painted an God give me the strength 37
idealistic picture of rural Shropshire in How much?! 39
the nineteenth century might have
viewed the current ambulance campaign Housman and ambulances
(p39). Children’s page 40
Lesley Harling (Editor) Perils of the church picnic 41
01584 318309 Parish directory & copy deadline 42
This month’s cover: Opinions expressed in contributed articles in this
magazine are those of the contributor and do not
Photograph: Lesley Harling necessarily represent the position or opinions of
Tree peony flower the PCC or Editorial Committee.
Graphic design: Nicky Luck
[email protected]
Printing : Signature Signs & Print
Moreton-on-Lugg, Herefordshire
3
4
Whose language is it anyway?
I was once at a conference at which the But I have to admit that in church we do
main speaker was an extremely radical it an awful lot of the time – in orders of
theologian. I don't think many of us service, hymns, prayers and sermons.
really followed what he was saying. Back in March, I mentioned in passing in
There was the usual deathly silence a sermon that ‘repent’ literally means
when the opportunity for questions ‘think again’. Someone visiting when on
came, and then someone stood up and holiday thanked me afterwards – that
said in a rather parsonical voice, simple fact had never occurred to him,
"It seems to me that what you have and it made sense to him in a way he
been trying to say to us in the last hour hadn’t grasped before. He had got
in much the same as I say when I recite beyond the jargon to the meaning.
the Creed". The Chairman, who These jargon words can be useful – but
happened to be the Bishop of they sometimes obscure rather than
Manchester, came in as sharp as a razor, illuminate the truth.
and said, "Michael, you have been Fred Kaan wrote a hymn which begins
accused of orthodoxy". with this appeal for us to be translators
I sometimes hear people of other faiths of the message of God so that all people
and none saying things which are very can say, like those we hear about in the
close indeed to what I believe as a story of Pentecost (Whit Sunday), ‘we
Christian. But they are using their have heard in our own language the
language, not mine, so we sound to be mighty acts of God.’
distant from each other, although maybe Now let us translate in the language
we are not. If we manage to get beyond of human-ness
thinking that our way of expressing truth all we have heard with our ears and
is the only way, perhaps we would
understand them and they might our tongue,
understand us better. fully committed to beautiful holiness,
placed in a world where we gladly
We Christians talk about our belief as
‘good news’. But it isn’t very good news belong.
if you have to learn all sorts of religious
jargon to understand it and express it. Revd Andrew Body
5
6
Thy Kingdom Come is a global prayer During the 11 days of Thy Kingdom
movement that invites Christians around Come, it is hoped that everyone who
the world to pray from Ascension to takes part will:
Pentecost for more people to come to
know Jesus. Deepen their own relationship
with Jesus Christ`
Since its start in May 2016 God has
grown Thy Kingdom Come from a Pray for 5 friends or family to
dream of possibility into a movement. come to faith in Jesus
Christians from 172 countries have
taken part in praying ‘Come Holy Spirit’, Pray for the empowerment of the
so that friends and family, neighbours Spirit that we would be effective in
and colleagues might come to faith in our witness
Jesus Christ. Whether you have joined in ‘Thy
This praying together has been across Kingdom Come’ before or not, we invite
our diversity and differences as every you to take part – along with churches
person, household and church are from over 80 different denominations &
encouraged to pray in their own way. traditions in nearly 90% of countries
According to our annual survey findings (172) around the world.
an astonishing percentage of people said
they were praying for family and friends
to come to faith in Jesus, and a ‘In praying 'Thy Kingdom Come' we
significant number of people join in for all commit to playing our part in the
the first time, we recognise there is renewal of the nations and the
much more we can do together to transformation of communities.’
help Thy Kingdom Come be fully in the Archbishop Justin Welby
lifeblood of the Church.
For further information and access to all the online resources please go to
https://www.thykingdomcome.global/
Thursday 26 May - Sunday 5 June 2022
7
R I B A
Trevor Hewett
A R C H I T E C T
▪ Planning applications ▪
▪ Listed building consent ▪
▪ Building regulations ▪
▪ Alterations and extensions ▪
▪ Church inspections ▪
▪ Green building ▪
The Architecture Studio
135 Corve Street Ludlow SY8 2PG
Tel: 01584 877992
3 Parkway, Off Corve Street, Ludlow,
Sy8 2PG
8
Introducing ...
Please tell us a little about
yourselves.
We are Judy and Colin Hamer. We are
both Shropshire-born and went to
school in Wellington, meeting up in the
Sixth Form when we were drawn to
speak together in the Debating Society
(‘In future will machine take over from
man’ - we won!). We wrote to each
other from our respective universities - We spent three years in Ross-on-Wye
London for Judy (reading French) and before Colin took up a post at the
Cambridge for Colin (Maths) and met Cambridgeshire High School for Boys
occasionally, notably when Colin visited (now Hills Road Sixth Form College).
Judy in the Haute Savoie in her year as By then we had started a family. Sadly,
assistante anglaise. our second son died as a result of anti-E
After completing a Cert Ed Colin taught antibodies but improving treatments
at Bolton School where he helped run a meant that the other children could be
very successful chess club. Three boys treated at birth. Although we lived out
ended up playing for England. As well as near Girton we were very involved with
chess Colin was a keen badminton Great St Mary’s and learned a lot from
player, captaining his college, playing for our time there as new liturgy was being
the Varsity second team, the Cockerels, introduced.
and later for the Herefordshire county From Cambridge we moved to Cumbria
team. Judy was doing her teacher where Colin became Head of Barrow
training in Reading but joined Colin on Grammar School. Judy trained as a lay
school walking trips to the Lake District. reader and became churchwarden, Colin
Walking and climbing became a shared was vice chair of the Diocesan Board of
hobby. Finance and Judy a member of the
Judy’s first post was teaching French at Training Board. Our parish was
Clitheroe Girls’ Grammar School. We introduced to meditation and the
then became very involved in our local healing ministry. We stayed on in Lindal
parish church in Billington. Although in Furness after Colin retired.
raised Congregationalist Colin attended So what brought you to Ludlow?
Great St Mary’s in Cambridge (the Colin: as a child in the forties I used to
sermons were shorter!) and was now visit my cousin David Lloyd so I had links
confirmed into the CofE in Blackburn, with Ludlow. It had a railway station and
soon to become PCC Secretary. Judy Judy spotted a suitable house on Right
had sung in the choir as a youngster and Move and I viewed it while Judy was in
been confirmed by Bishop Sara (wearing South Africa visiting family.
gaiters) in the Fifties. Cont on p11
9
10
Introducing Judy and Colin Hamer
cont from p9 FROM THE
And to St Laurence’s? REGISTERS
Judy remembered it from childhood
(Murder in the Cathedral, weddings, FUNERALS
funerals etc). David was churchwarden 26 Mar Brian & Dinah Crowther
here, he introduced us to Ewart Carson (Garden of Remembrance)
and we were soon heavily involved. 4 April Elaine Tomkins
What have been your roles at St (Garden of Remembrance)
Laurence's? 6 April John Vaughan
Colin was elected to the PCC, served 7 April Di Corston
as deanery treasurer and deanery
representative on the Diocesan Synod
and helped run the church website for
many years. Judy decided not to
continue as a lay reader but joined the
chaplaincy team, recruiting other lay
members, led the pastoral care team,
attends the contemplation group and
regularly leads the prayers as an
intercessor.
in April St Laurence’s was
How do you spend any spare time? delighted to congratulate
Colin: doing puzzles, especially number Barbara Atkin on her one
puzzle but some cryptic crosswords hundredth birthday.
too, cooking and baking.
Judy: the garden was my escape in
lockdown
A memorable holiday experience?
Visiting remote rock paintings in the
Western Cape of South Africa and
having to wade across a river. There
was nobody else there, not even a
guide.
What might we be surprised to
know about you?
Colin: I was brought up teetotal but
Judy wooed me with wine!
Judy: I have a twin sister who can’t read
or write but is extraordinarily street-
savvy and loves travelling.
11
LOCAL MAN
wishes to buy
Antiques, Bric à brac,
Collectables
and
Deceaseds’ Effects
Please call
01584 892128 07508 809710
12
Notes from st john’s
On 5 March 2022 St John’s Church lost a set up the Ludlow Concert Band and
faithful servant when our wonderful was involved in the Craven Arms Men’s
organist, Colin Reeves, died. The following Chorus for over 40 years. His passion
tribute is taken from the eulogy written by for organ-playing lasted all his life: from
his wife, Amanda, shared at his funeral in St the age of 10 when he was asked to play
John’s on 29 March. The funeral was a at Munslow church until his time in
fitting tribute to such an excellent musician Ludlow playing at St John’s and St Giles’.
with hymns accompanied by the Ludlow Colin did whatever was asked of him,
Concert Band and a special solo sung by always with great respect for those who
Brian Thomas. he played for, delighting all with his
Revd Lawrence Gittins wonderful music. St John’s choir will
greatly miss his leadership and expertise
as will Ludlow Concert Band and all the
students he taught over the years. So
much of his life was spent encouraging
youngsters to become involved in music,
inspiring a love that will continue all
their lives, a wonderful legacy.
Colin and Amanda met 20 years ago and
have devotedly spent every day together
since that time. Colin was a life-long
supporter of all things cricket and loved
Colin Hugh Reeves RIP
all sport, including football, rugby,
22 September 1946 – 5 March 2022 athletics, snooker, tennis and darts. He
loved to share his many fond memories,
Colin touched and enriched the lives of anecdotes and jokes. He was a genuine,
many and he will be greatly missed. caring person, something which was also
Colin’s was a good life, well lived and full clear to the local cat population – Colin
of music. Born and raised in Diddlebury was a cat magnet! Local stray cats
at the end of World War II he showed found a loving friend with Colin.
great talent from a very early age on the
piano and later the organ, graduating For a long time, illness was a big part of
from the Birmingham Conservatoire Colin’s life, from cancer to heart failure,
with Distinction and being awarded the but he never let it affect what he wanted
prestigious Associateship Diploma from to do. His wish was always that you
the Royal College of Organists. should love life, love what you do and
give it your very best.
Throughout his life Colin was involved
in local music-making, from choirs to He will always be in the hearts of those
music teaching and with different bands. who knew him, and especially of his wife
He was an accomplished accompanist as Amanda.
well as an excellent conductor, helped
13
14
role reversal in the chancel
Over the centuries, people have always let everyone have fun. The ecclesiastical
sought to liven up the dark, depressing liturgy was lampooned with hilarious
days around Christmas. Today there are effect but, inevitably, things often went
office parties, non-uniform days and big too far and there were several attempts
family gatherings, but these are feeble to ban the practice.
efforts compared to what went on in By the 15th
earlier times. Indeed this was often a century, the main
period when a great deal of disruption form of role-
was accepted and enjoyed. The normal reversal in
social hierarchy was turned upside- England was the
down and wild behaviour was widely election of a ‘Boy
tolerated. The Romans had a great time Bishop’ to ‘rule’
at the feast of Saturnalia when the rules from the Feast of
were relaxed, gambling was accepted St Nicholas on 6
and the masters served their slaves at December to
table. Holy Innocents
Role-reversal seems to have been an Day on 28 The Boy Bishop
important part of these festivities, and in December.
mediaeval England a person was often Usually chosen from among the
elected as the ‘Lord of Misrule’ to choristers, or the other schoolboys
organise and preside over the Christmas attending the choir school, the ‘Boy
festivities. Not surprisingly, these were Bishop’ was dressed in episcopal robes
often drunken, raucous events and and mitre. During his period of office,
frequently got out of hand. Rather than he performed many duties, preaching
deprecate these unseemly practices, the sermons and leading processions in the
Church entered into the spirit of the town. All of these mediaeval practices
thing with enthusiasm. The ‘Feast of were finally outlawed by Elizabeth I,
Fools’ was celebrated between 26 and though Hereford Cathedral
28 December and involved junior clergy reintroduced the role of ‘Boy Bishop’ in
swapping places 1972 and it continues.
with their St Laurence’s church is very fortunate in
superiors. having rare wooden carved images of
While the both a ‘Lord of Misrule’ and a ‘Boy
humbling of the Bishop’. Dating from around 1450 they
bishop and can be found back-to-back in the
archdeacons chancel, halfway along the choir stalls on
might have been the right-hand side.
good for them,
the main Hugh Wood
purpose seems
to have been to
The Lord of Misrule
15
16
17
LOCAL PLACES of interest to visit
VISIT OUR CHURCH
TO SEE our
Mediaeval stained glass
Mediaeval misericords
View from the Tower
Bells and Carillon
Snetzler organ
Baldacchino
Gift shop
18
MAY DAY: UNBRIDLED MERRIMENT
May is the month when the ancient weave, Morris dancing, and the
pagans used to get up to ‘all sorts’! The intricacies of well dressing at Tissington
Romans held their festival to honour the in Derbyshire.
mother-goddess Maia, goddess of nature May Day is a medley of natural themes
and growth, after whom May is named. such as sunrise, the advent of summer,
The early Celts celebrated the feast of growth in nature, and - since 1833 -
Beltane, in honour of the sun god, Beli. Robert Owen’s vision of a millennium in
For centuries in ‘Olde England’ the the future, beginning on May Day, when
people went mad in May. After the there would be no more poverty,
hardship of winter, and hunger of early injustice or cruelty, but harmony and
Spring, May was a time of indulgence and friendship. This is why, in modern times,
unbridled merriment. One Philip May Day has become Labour Day, which
Stubbes, writing in 1583, was honours the dignity of workers.
scandalised: ‘for what kissing And until recently, in
and bussing, what communist countries May
smooching and slabbering Day processions were in
one of another, is not honour of the
practised?’. achievement of Marxism.
Henry VIII went ‘maying’ There has never been a
on many occasions. Then Christian content to May
folk would stay out all Day, but nevertheless
night in the dark rain- there is the well-known
warm thickets and return 6am service on the top of
in the morning for dancing Magdalen Tower at Oxford
on the green around the where a choir sings in the
May pole, archery, vaulting, dawn of May Day.
wrestling, and evening bonfires. An old May carol includes the
The Protestant reformers took a strong lines:
stand against May Day, and in 1644 May The life of man is but a span, it flourishes
Day was abolished altogether. Many May like a flower
poles came down - only to go up again We are here today and gone tomorrow -
at the Restoration, when the first May we are dead within an hour.
Day of King Charles’s reign was ‘the
happiest Mayday that hath been many a There is something of a sadness about it,
year in England’, according to Pepys. both in words and tune, as there is
about all purely sensuous joy. For May
May Day to most people today brings Day is not Easter, and the joys it
vague folk memories of a young Queen represents have always been earth-
of the May decorated with garlands and bound and fleeting.
streamers and flowers, a May Pole to
19
SUNDAY SERVICES in Ludlow
Anglican Ludlow Baptist Church
St Laurence, College Street 10.30am Sunday worship
8.30am Holy Communion (BCP) Contact
[email protected]
10am Parish Eucharist
For livestream/recording - link at Ludlow Elim
https://stlaurences.org.uk/live-stream 10.30am Service at Elim
11.30am Choral Matins 11.30am Online.
3rd Sunday only Contact
3.30pm Choral Evensong www.ludlowelim.com 07791 483284
1st Sunday only [email protected]
6pm Celtic Prayer - evening liturgy
3rd Sunday only Living Waters
10pm Compline (on Zoom) No services at present.
For details contact Contact
[email protected] [email protected]
5th Sun Joint benefice service
with St John’s Ludlow Methodist Church
Contact 10.30am Sunday worship
[email protected] Contact
[email protected]
01584 872073
St John, Gravel Hill Ludlow Quakers
9.45am 1st, 3rd & 5th Sundays 10.30am Meeting for worship
Holy Communion Contact
2nd & 4th Sundays Cynthia Prior 01584 831855
Morning Prayer
5th Sun Joint benefice service St Peter's Roman Catholic Church
with St Laurence’s Mass 11.00am Sunday
Contact 9.30pm Monday-Friday
[email protected] 6.00pm Saturday (Sunday Vigil )
07786 625565 Morning prayer
9.15am Monday-Friday
St Giles, Ludford
11.15am 1st Sunday 9.45am Saturday
Contact
Family Worship [email protected]
2nd & 4th Sundays
CW Holy Communion
3rd Sunday
Lay-led Worship
Contact
[email protected]
20
LUDLOW LOCAL LISTING
You can advertise in this listing for one We also accept advertising from clubs,
year (12 issues) for just £30. societies and social groups - perfect for
With 600 copies circulating in Ludlow publicising your group’s activities and
every month, free of charge, this is an attracting new members.
ideal way of publicising your business, All entries must fit the standard 4-line
shop or service. box (approximately 40 words).
To discuss details or to place an advertisement please contact the parish
office on 01584 872073 or email [email protected].
If you use the services of any of our advertisers please mention
that you found their details in the Ludlow Tower.
Artwork
Ludlow Castle Gallery
Quality affordable picture framing & original objects. Fast friendly service. Gifts & cards
by local artisans. Find us just before the Castle Café or contact on
01584 878527 [email protected] www.ludlowcastlegallery.co.uk
Books & Stationery
Castle Bookshop
5 Castle Street Ludlow
Booksellers and Stationers Free ordering service
01584 872562 [email protected]
Food
Paul’s Fresh Fish Ltd
Home delivery of fresh and smoked fish from our family fishmongers based in
Gloucestershire. Price list available.
Tel: 07527 898767 or email [email protected]
Myriad Organics 22 Corve Street 01584 879373 myriad-organics.co.uk
Ludlow’s widest range of organic produce. Specialists in vegetarian, vegan & gluten-free
food, natural bodycare & natural remedies. Waste-free shopping & refills for your cleaning
products. We also offer a free local delivery service and organic box scheme.
21
Fitness and Sport
Pearce Cycles
Friendly, knowledgeable and experienced - your local bike shop for all your cycling needs.
Fishmore Road, Ludlow, SY8 3DP. Tel. 01584 879288; [email protected];
www.pearcecycles.co.uk. Open Mon-Fri 9.00am to 5.30pm. Bike sales - repair - hire.
IT Services
Matthew Lenthall IT Services
Computers, phones and all things technical. Support and maintenance.
12a Corve Street, Ludlow 07828 081163 or 01584 877946
[email protected]
Insurance Services
Teme Valley Insurance Brokers
For your Home, Car, Business or Farm quote
Call Mark or Sue on 01584 290055
Medical services
Acupuncture 07816 303742
Are you in pain, not sleeping, or anxious? Don’t ignore it, it can be relieved.
Qualified insured therapist, Samuel Jones, offers remedial massages and acupuncture
treatments for a variety of conditions. See www.massageludlow.co.uk for details.
Picture Framing
Frames by Sebastian
Bespoke picture framing
6a Pepper Lane
Tel: 07815 111554
Wanted by collector
Reynolds of Ludlow furniture
Wanted by local collector and researcher; any condition considered; will collect.
Good prices offered.
Tel: 07967 134116.
22
Property services and maintenance
General Maintenance
M. Davies & Son, Property Maintenance Service
Flooring, Glazed tiles, Painting, Decorating & General repairs.
5 Bitterley Close, Ludlow, SY8 1XP
Call: 01584 873907
Steve Wilson Painting and Decorating
Internal and external work carried out.
Please telephone Steve on: 07818 400764
Email address: [email protected]
Carpentry
James Mackenzie Carpentry & Joinery
Reliable / High Quality Work.
Building Services, Gosford Cottage, Little Hereford, Ludlow SY8 4AR
Call 01584 711326 or 07870428948. Email [email protected]
Chimneys & Stoves
Ken Dodd & Son Chimney Sweep
Rotary sweep and vacuum-assisted. Cowls/bird guards supplied and fitted. Woodburners
serviced and bricks supplied and fitted. Fully insured and certificates issued. Available for
weddings. 01584 873178 • 07702 102044 www.kendoddandsonchimneysweep.co.uk
Ludlow Stoves www.ludlowstoves.co.uk 01584 878552 [email protected]
Showroom with over 50 stoves & cookers, fireplaces, flue systems, electric & gas stoves.
Boilers, biomass & full central heating systems installed. Chimney sweeps. Stove
maintenance. Fully insured inhouse local engineers, reliable. Hetas & Gas Safe registered.
Cleaning
Hydroclean Services [email protected]
Carpet & Upholstery cleaning : Leather cleaning : Hard floor cleaning and stone polishing :
Gutter cleaning : Fully insured, fast response, reliable and local. Members of the National
Carpet Cleaning Association. www.hydrocleanservices.co.uk 01568 630000
Paul’s Window & Gutter Cleaning Service
We also clean fascias and soffits if required
For a quote
call 07891 862744 or email [email protected]
23
Electrical
Ian Mackay
Quick response, local and reliable. No-obligation fixed quotes. Domestic installation and
repairs. Landlord & homeowner safety inspections. Condition reports for house sales.
Contact Ian Mackay on 07736 303297 or email [email protected]
Gardening
Dan Pritchard Garden Services
Fully insured - reliable - experienced - competitive. Lawn mowing / hedge cutting / tree
surgery / pruning / turfing / planting / landscaping. Call Dan on 07779182636. Covers
Ludlow and surrounding areas.
Send those special greetings
to your loved one HERE for just
£7.50.
To book email
ADVERTISE YOUR BUSINESS, CLUB OR SOCIETY
HERE
Contact the Parish Office on 01584 872073 or
[email protected]
ADVERTISING RATES 2021-22 (for 12 issues)
Full page - £280 Quarter page - £90
Half page - £170 Eighth page - £55
Classified - £30
Rates for part-year available on request
See above for contact details.
24
WHAT’S ON AT ST LAURENCE’S
Midweek MAY
Daily prayer 9.30am Sunday 1 11.30pm
Mon, Tues, Thur at St Laurence’s May Fair service
Wed, Friday at St John’s Monday 2 3.00pm
Tea and toast 10am Open tea
Wednesday at St John’s Saturday 7 1.00pm
Holy Communion Organ recital
Wednesday at St John’s 11.30am Saturday 14
First Wednesday in month 6.00pm Annual Church Meeting and 9.30am
at St Laurence’s Annual Parochial Church Meeting
Intercessionary Prayers 10.30am In Unison with Ukraine 7.30pm
Fourth Thursday in month Sunday 15
at St Laurence’s Choral Matins 11.30am
Tower bells practice Celtic Prayer 6pm
Mondays 7.30-9pm Saturday 21 7.30pm
Handbells practice Ludlow Orchestra
Tuesdays 6-7.15pm Thursday 26 7.00pm
Solemn Eucharist for Ascension Day
For the latest information on services and
events at St Laurence’s please visit the
church website
www.stlaurences.org.uk
Annual church meetings - 14 maY
The Annual Parish Meeting for Ludlow Parochial Church Meeting, which
St Laurence will be held on Saturday 14 considers a report on all aspects of the
May at 9.30am in the church. All life of St Laurence in the previous year.
residents of the parish are entitled to This report will be displayed in the
attend to elect church church and on the church
wardens for the next year. website from Sunday 1 May.
This will be followed Copies of a summary report
immediately by the Annual will be available in church.
25
26
Saint Mary Magdalene's Chapel
As his series of articles about the many former places of worship dotted round Ludlow goes
into its second year Nick Ford delves into the history of one of the best-known examples.
This is certainly the most striking part of In the early 16th century a mezzanine
Ludlow Castle as well as the most floor was inserted to create a useable
unusual of all Ludlow's former places of upper storey and the roof was raised to
worship. In addition to the circular nave, the present level. The north Norman
the structure originally had a square window was enlarged to accommodate
chancel (or presbytery) and a polygonal a separate entrance via a roofed
apse, now ruined. All over Europe, corridor bridge linking the early 16th
churches with circular naves were built century gallery with the Great Chamber
in imitation of the Church of the Holy block in the main body of the castle,
Sepulchre in Jerusalem, erected about allowing direct access from the royal
1048 on the supposed site of Christ’s apartments. This work may have been
tomb. Knights returning from the First carried out because Prince Arthur and
and Second Crusades brought the style Catherine of Aragon set up their
of the church home with them. household in the castle in January 1502.
Only four circular- An 18th century
nave churches manuscript
survive intact in describes the first-
Britain, some floor private pew
connected with that projected
the Knights through the 12th
Templar who first century chancel
came to England in arch: ‘a seat raised
1128, others high for the Prince
possibly earlier. and nobility’. A
The date of the drawing of 1684 is
Ludlow chapel is St Mary Magdalene Chapel, Ludlow Castle captioned "Prince
uncertain. The (Image source: Powis Estates) Arthur's Chapel'.
founder may have The demolished chancel and apsidal
been Hugh de Lacy I (d before 1115), space beyond can be traced by the
but some think that it was not built until foundations that are still visible. The
the 1120s or 30s by Gilbert de Lacy I, original Norman chancel was extended
himself a Knight Templar. The interior and replaced by a new building in the
wall arcade design matches that date later 16th century possibly of timber-
range, but the embellishment of the framed construction. This will have been
door and chancel arch could be a little to accommodate a larger congregation
later - perhaps the late 1150s, which was due to the sister chapel, Saint Peter's,
probably when Gilbert joined the having been turned into a courthouse
Templars. for the Council of the Marches.
Cont on p 29
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Ludlow Curtain Company
The Stables, Station Drive,
Ludlow SY8 2PQ
Tel 01584 875533
[email protected]
Here for all your soft furnishing
needs, from curtains and all types of
blinds to cushions, upholstery and
curtain poles.
Fabrics now available on the roll.
Skip Hire, Waste Management & K & J Davies Gas Services
Recycling
Tenbury Wells, Ludlow, Leominster, Craven Arms and
NATURAL AND LPG GAS BOILERS &
APPLIANCES SERVICED AND INSTALLED
RADIATORS AND HEATING INSTALLATIONS
AND SMALL PLUMBING WORK UNDERTAKEN
Victoria Allen
Garden maintenance
Funeral Services Michael Doyle
Plantsman
An Independent Family Business
Pre- Paid Funeral Plans Over 30 years’ experience
Home Visits Always Available
24 Hour Service 07855 930641
01584 879035
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St Mary Magdalene Chapel PCC meeting
Cont from p 27
The chapel became derelict in the late MONDAY 3 MARCH
18th century but was repaired and re- 7 members of the PCC attended
roofed in 2019 by the specialist
Shropshire building company Phillips & Resolutions: final configuration of
Curry. The owners and commissioners altar rail; confirmation of Statement
of the work, Lord Powis and the of Need for coffee shop; adoption of
trustees of the Powis Castle Estate, new terms of reference for each
worked closely with Historic England committee/sub-committee; adoption
for three years to make the project a of Fairtrade Church logo for use on
reality. The roof is constructed in oak pew sheets etc
using traditional methods. There were Finances: healthy
no existing drawings for reference but Policies: Health and Safety policy
after researching roof structures of the reviewed and adopted;
period it was agreed that the design Communication policy to be drafted
would be in keeping with the original Discussions: submission of National
intentions of the changes probably Heritage Lottery Fund bid; plans for
made for Prince Arthur when the roof refurbishment of Parish Office at 2
was heightened, rather than the original College Street and update on fund-
early 12th century roof, which is raising for Stephen House project;
thought to have been lower and condition of St Leonard’s churchyard
projected over the walls. wall on Linney; detailed plans for
The Chapel now provides an all- Flower Festival; plans for Platinum
weather venue for weddings. It is Jubilee celebrations
gratifying to see the chapel, after three Committee Reports: received
centuries of disuse, restored and from Fabric, Liturgy, Outward
serving at least one of its original Concern and Arts@ St Laurence
functions. committees and Flower Festival and
Nick Ford NLHF working groups (NLHF now
disbanded)
Date of next meeting:
Monday 6 June 2022
A copy of the latest confirmed PCC
minutes is available on the noticeboard
at the back of the church. All
confirmed minutes can be viewed in the
parish office.
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Alexandra House
Diamond Life Healthcare
Fully trained carers provide high-quality
personalised care
We can now provide
Domiciliary Care 24-hour Live-in Care Domestic Care
We are always looking for reliable caring staff
Please ring and speak to our friendly team
01584 872233
Email - [email protected]
Website - www.diamondlifehealthcare.co.uk
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Lovely Jubbly - a Jubilee!
The Easter holidays and celebrations are aprons, tea towels and coasters. All
now over, and our next big affair is the these items feature hand drawn designs
very exciting, and unique, by Victoria Eggs using
Platinum Jubilee. Never has inspiration from the dress worn
one monarch reigned in our by the Queen during her
country for such a period, and Coronation in 1952.
never before has a female head Norman Hartnell designed the
of state reigned for this time. dress which was embroidered
Quite something to celebrate! with emblems and flowers from
To this end the Shop have a the United Kingdom and the
selection of delightful Commonwealth which Victoria
commemorative items for sale; has intricately recreated for this
fine bone china mugs, baubles made collection - a lovely tasteful and
from fine bone china using Cornish clay, collectable commemorative array.
Open daily 10am-5pm
The Shop at St Laurence
Mobile: 07833 866485
www.theshopatstlaurence.co.uk
It should be Noted ...
The Shop at St Laurence is delighted to Galleries notebooks and sketch books,
introduce you to a fine collection of in various shapes and sizes, always stylish
notebooks, new in from Flame Tree. and wonderful gifts for all, big or small.
They are ‘foiled’ books as illustrated, Keeping it local, the shop also has
simple luxury in a notebook! The Ludlow Bookbinders’ inimitable leather-
covers are elegant reproductions picked bound books, small note books, sketch
out with metallic foil books and larger albums and, unusually, a
and the book closes music manuscript book for those
with the dignified budding composers.
‘snap’ of a magnetic
flap, which then keeps Travel Journals are wonderful gifts for
loose notes as well as school leavers planning a world tour, a
written notes safe. great way for them to record their
journey for posterity. So, if you have any
As always we also gift requirements this coming month, do
have a fine selection take note!
of Museums &
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LUDLOW CAR SHARE
Cut your travel costs and help beat
climate change
Our club is a community run, not-for-
profit enterprise
We operate low emission, automatic
Toyota hybrid cars
Book a car for as long as you need
from 30 mins to several days
Smart card technology - book online or
by phone
You pay only an hourly charge plus
mileage
We pay fuel, insurance, road tax and
breakdown cover
Expensive Mistakes
As a member you can book Co-wheels
Nestled in the heart of Ludlow, cars across the UK
specialising in selling pre-loved, No age limit with valid licence –
introductory teach-in if required
top-name designer and
Cars parked at Ludlow Foyer close to
superior high street fashion at Train Station
affordable prices.
Join at:
11 Market Street, Ludlow SY8 1BP http://www.co-wheels.org.uk/
shropshire
tel: 01584 877911 Local contacts:
01584 875017 or 875501
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hoping for a swift return
At this time of year the sound of high- Ludlow Swift Group was started in
pitched screaming in Ludlow is more 2011 as part of Ludlow 21. The PCC at
likely to be greeted by a knowing smile St Laurence’s was very happy to give the
and an eager upward glance than by a group access to the tower to provide
concerned frown and a stretch for the nest sites for the swifts. In June 2014
mobile to dial 999. The beginning of Peter Norman installed two nest boxes
May sees the return of ‘our’ swifts from behind the louvres in the bell chamber
Africa where they spend their winters. and a call system was installed to attract
Breeding birds return immediately birds to the boxes, playing each year
to the site where they nested from May until late July.
the previous years - birds are It was another three years
faithful to their partner and before the first evidence
nest site for life. Once a swift emerged that swifts were
chick takes its maiden flight it actually using the boxes but
is in the air for two to three one pair is known to have
years until it is mature and bred every year since 2018.
ready to find a partner and Two more boxes, each with
nest site but it still makes the three nesting chambers, were
14,000km round trip to Africa each installed in spring in 2018.
year. It is these non-breeding birds Inspection in 2022 has revealed that one
which make up the screaming parties chamber has definitely been used for
that we see and hear around town on breeding while nests have been built in
summer days. But by the end of July two others with no sign yet of any
they have nearly all left to fly back to breeding. (Typically swifts build a nest
southern Africa. one year then return to it the next year
Swifts have only have one brood per and for the rest of their lives to breed.)
year with two, occasionally three, chicks. With the blessing of the PCC the Swift
Numbers are in sharp decline nationally Group is now going to add another six
- over 50% in 20 years, in many cases nest chambers in the hope of expanding
due to a loss of suitable nesting sites. the colony further.
Here in Ludlow the swift colony on So if you hear swifts screaming round
Sandpits Avenue is smaller than it was. the church this summer there is a
As the houses that these birds depend better chance than ever that the sound
on are renovated nest sites are lost and comes from live birds, rather than the
new housing does not offer the nooks call system which attracted them to the
and crannies that these summer visitors tower in the first place.
to our towns need to breed. Other If you would like to know more about
reasons could be the devastating loss of swifts and the Ludlow Swift Group
insects which may affect their ability to contact Peta Sams on 01584 873059 or
feed themselves and their chicks. email [email protected] .
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Celtic Prayer
An Evening Liturgy
St Laurence’s Church, Ludlow
Third Sunday of the month
6pm
A simple service in a style
used by the Iona Community
All welcome
Call Pat Helm 01584 877683
Helen Blyth 01584 875041
for more information
Sunday 15 May
Join us for
Sunday evening compline St Laurence’s is planning to
via Zoom modernise the church office at 2,
College Street in memory of
An ancient and beautiful way to close Stephen Treasure. The refurbished
out the day with God and each other. building will act as a base for St
Open to all. Laurence’s Mission to provide short-
Sundays 10pm for approx 20 minutes term help, support and guidance to
For Zoom details email: those in need in the community.
[email protected] Pick up a leaflet in the church to
learn all about this exciting project.
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God give me the strength
‘God, give me the strength to provide Unsurprisingly, altercations, shouting and
for my family’. Janet Zirago prays for the cursing are a daily part of this ritual, as
strength to protect her family from people jostle and try to queue-jump. As
hunger in Zimbabwe. You will see this for Covid, it is hardly a surprise that
caption on all the Christian Aid Week there is no social distancing or mask-
posters, which is just a fortnight away wearing in the queues.
(15-21 May). Many women
We will not be do their laundry
carrying out by the nearby
door-to-door rocks, taking
collections but, advantage of the
at the time of water point.
writing, have not Some vendors
come up with charge high
any alternative. rates, which
As it is our people cannot
major money- afford.
raising event This increases
each year, Janet Zirugo (R) leads her two daughters and the levels of
generating about two daughters-in-law poverty and
£9,000, I hope someone will have had an inequality among communities, especially
inspiration before you read this. among women and people with
How can Christian Aid empower the disabilities, whose social status continues
Janet Ziragos of this world? Perhaps it to fall. Just think about these people
helps to focus on particular people and when you next turn on a tap to wash
their stories. ‘Our true voice’ is a clothes, plates or hair or to shower.
network of community reporters from The background to all the work
marginal communities in Nigeria and undertaken in the area by Christian Aid,
Zimbabwe sharing first-hand accounts of is the threat of climate change. Climate
the challenges of social exclusion. justice has never been more important
Enddy Ziyera has reported that access than it is today. It is an ongoing and
to clean water remains a pipe dream for doubtless long battle. The way our
many where he lives in the Dangamvura brothers and sisters respond to their
region of Zimbabwe. Women and situations should inspire us to join them
children spend hours in long queues at in that battle, in whatever way we can.
the two communal water points, to fill a Please continue to remember Christian
few containers, before embarking on the Aid and its workers in your prayers.
journey home, sometimes over quite
long distances. Claire Wilcox 877199
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Arts@StLaurence
Lunchtime Organ Recitals 2022
Saturday 17 May 2022 at 1pm
Royal Birmingham Conservatoire
Programme:
J S Bach
Charles-Marie Widor
Olivier Messiaen
Maurice Duruflé
Charles Francis
Unreserved seating
Retiring Collection
Oliver Neale
For full details go to
stlaurences.org.uk/recitals-and-concerts
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HOW MUCH?! Housman and
ambulances
If you have ever been late in returning a
library book, take heart: the 1704 copy I was struck by the front page of a recent
of The Faith and Practice of a Church of issue of the Ludlow Advertiser. A E
England Man was recently handed back Housman was looking down with evident
to Sheffield Cathedral. approval and admiration on a photograph
A handwritten inscription inside reads: of the campaign to ‘Save Our Ambulances!’
‘This Book belongs to ye Lending It was almost as if Alfred were urging
Library in Sheffield Church 1709.’ It left readers to study a sadly neglected lyric
the library just over 300 years ago. from ‘Even More Last Poems’ (1935) which
makes clear where he would have stood on
the issue of ambulance stations
When last I came to Ludlow
Along the Henley Road,
Sheffield Cathedral’s Revd Canon Keith In search again, through wind and rain,
Farrow said that a deceased woman Of this my heart's abode.
who lived locally had asked in her will A cry of anguish caught my ear
that her family return it. "Now it’s From graveyard gaunt and steep,
come back home. It’s a joy to have this Where, all alone, grey, grey as stone,
little jewel back in the cathedral.” Diurnal watch did keep,
With overdue fines of 50p a day, A mother for her mortal son,
librarians could have charged the family Too young to cross the bar;
more than £54,000 for the book — Too late, too late, too long to wait
which itself is worth about £300. For ambulance afar,
The canon joked, ‘We might have got a Sealed fast the eyes, cut short the
new roof or something. But I did breath
promise I wouldn’t charge them. Of one more Shropshire lad:
From dust to dust – where, where the
Trust
School reports That once our fathers had?
Ian Barge
He has an overdeveloped unawareness
It is 100 years since the
The improvement in her handwriting publication of
has revealed her inability to spell. Housman’s ‘Last Poems’.
By the time he has mastered French, he I strongly recommend
will be too old to cross the Channel. The Housman Society's
I am sorry to have to tell you that she Centenary Edition of
is doing her best. this collection.
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40
ON THE PERILS OF THE CHURCH PICNIC
Revd Dr Gary Bowness continues his tongue ball sailing past them, while they discuss
-in-cheek letters from ‘Uncle Eustace’… some burning topic of Mother’s Union
gossip.
The Rectory In the meantime, the young choir
St James the Least of All members, who were the reason for
My dear Nephew Darren arranging the game in the first place, will
have drifted off to the lake to throw
A Spring parish picnic is always a good stones at the ducks while no one is
idea – although you must bear some looking.
details in mind Firstly, whatever date
you choose will turn out be the wettest For our annual picnic, I use my own car,
of the year. English picnics are invariably making sure it is so full of clerical robes
eaten under umbrellas while wearing and church magazines that no one else
wellingtons and the sort of determinedly can fit in. Throughout the day, I keep
cheerful look that defies anyone to returning to it to make sure no one has
admit they would rather be broken in to steal the
home in front of the fire. Communion wine – and
taking the opportunity to
Secondly, no matter how catch up on the cricket
early in the year, wasps scores. By the middle of
will emerge from the afternoon, I usually
hibernation in huge remember that some
numbers, and terrorise urgent duty, such as
Mrs Hornby with the blessing a traction engine,
picnic baskets. And thirdly, demands my departure.
someone will bring along
their (hungry) dog. Last time The rest of the party, by now
Colonel Psmith’s spaniel outdid herself; soaked, cold and knowing the coach to
she leapt up, head butted a piece of take them home is still several hours off,
Madeira cake out of Mrs Horngirdle’s only wish they had such demanding
hand - and ate the lot – before even a work to tear them away.
crumb could touch the ground. A good Your loving uncle,
piece of field work, that.
Half-way through the afternoon, some Eustace
over-excited member of the party will
decide to arrange a game of rounders.
Mr Poppinjay tried this one year, as in his
youth he had been athletic. Fortunately,
the ambulance got there quickly, and the
ankle healed well. Then the mothers
who join in will completely ignore the
41
PARISH DIRECTORY
Ludlow St Laurence Parish Office, 2 College Street, Ludlow, Shropshire. SY8 1AN
Telephone: 01584 872073
e-mail: [email protected] website: www.stlaurences.org.uk
The office is open to the public on Tuesdays between 10.00 am and 12.00 pm.
Rector Revd Kelvin Price (available Sunday-Friday) 07799 243867
Curate Revd Lawrence Gittins (available Sunday-Friday) 07786 625565
Pioneer Curate & Intergenerational Missioner Revd Wayne Davies 07545 438892
Ludlow St Laurence Ludlow St John
Parish Office 01584 872073 Parish Office Nicky Luck (temp) 872073
Office Administrator Nicky Luck Churchwardens Mike Beazley 873570
Finance Manager Peter Nield Anthony Sibcy 874331
Gift Aid Secretary Michael Hunt Treasurer Peter Phelps 873179
Director of Music Michael Oakley PCC Secretary John French 876142
Custodian Matthew Lenthall Electoral Roll John French 876142
Conservation Trust Chair Ian Marshall Ashfords Benefice
Rector Revd Lynn Money
PCC
Churchwardens Dick Franks 892019 Parish Office Clare Bicker-Caarten
01584 831585
Lesley Harling 318309 Bromfield Benefice
Assistant Churchwarden Rector Revd Justin Parker
Michael Davies 07970 434822 Parish Office Grace Johnson
Electoral Roll Officer Dick Franks 892019 07493 247184
Safeguarding Officer Dick Franks 892019
PCC Minutes Secretary Jacs Higgs 872073
Bible Reading Penelope Bridstrup 876992
Fellowship
Flowers Sue Thornley 872292 COPY DEADLINE FOR THE
Monthly Prayer Group Sandi Burley 873155 NEXT ISSUE
Tower Captain Richard Bracher 811514
Ludlow Tower editor Lesley Harling 318309 TUESDAY 29 APRIL
Find this and previous issues There is no guarantee that material
of the Ludlow Tower on line at submitted will be included.
www.stlaurences.org.uk Please send articles by email to
[email protected]
We are happy to receive contributions
and suggestions for inclusion in the
magazine. Please limit items to no
more than 400 words, except by prior
agreement with the editor.
Parish of Ludlow Saint Laurence Registered Charity No 1132703
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